Can all dogs learn to be off lead?

Question

I've been training my dog on my own with what I read from books and articles. We're at the point where we should start working off lead. But I'm really hesitant. I really don't think that my dog can ever be off lead in an unenclosed area. The sound of my voice and the commands I give him just don't interest him as much as catching that squirrel or chasing that rabbit. He has escaped from the fenced yard a few times, and the only reason we were able to catch him is because he tried to climb a tree to get a squirrel, and that slowed him down.

So, my question is, are there some dogs who just can't be off lead?

My dog is a lhaso apso/terrier mix. Also, before someone suggests going to a professional trainer, there are none in my area. Not even a Petsmart.

Answer 1

most dogs can be trained to be off lead. My lab mix is never on lead and I have had her for 4 month (she is 6 now...adopted)...she just wont leave my side and always watches me for commands.

However, terriers, greyhounds, etc (any dog that was bread to run after and chase things) cannot be trusted off leash!! They are unpredictable and have great vision, so if something catches their eye, they will take off after it!!

If you have faith and want to try it, teach the pup to look you in the face when you say its name...especially when you are walking. Then, it will be less likely to wander too far from your side. You can train them to do this by:

When you call their name, hold a treat out in from of their face. Move the treat to the spot between your eyes (lure them by moving the treat directly to your eyes after you call their name). When they look at the treat, you, give it to them. Slowly wean off th treats and just use your finger. Then, eventually you just say their name and they will look at you. Then, you know you have their attention...

Good luck!!

Answer 2

I believe that dogs that are trained as therapy dogs, police dogs,dog shows, etc. could do it. I would always keep your dog on a leash though. I don't really see the point of doing it unless it's for one of those purposes. If it's for one of those purposes, I would start checking out places on the Internet for places that train for these types of dogs. I am a dog Training Instructor. I have had a good amount of people who swore their dog was good off lead wander off to get hit by a car or ran into an aggressive dog and was hurt pretty bad.

Answer 3

Some dogs take longer to learn than others. My last pit bull was so easy to train, i could walk her by a cat or a dog while she was not on her leash and she knew to stay by my side. My new puppy (1 1/2 years old now) still cant get the hang of it. Keep training and working on making your dog focus on you and nothing else. This is what has worked for me, but i am not a professional.

Answer 4

Yes, all dogs can be trained to work off leash, even yours. Once the dog knows and understands the basics of all commands, it is time to proof the dog with distractions and corrections. That is when the problem starts, most people feel bad about correcting their dog, and I am talking about a physical correction, and they never do it. But, all dogs need physical corrections when they are learning in order to become reliable. The dog must learn that there will be consequences if he does not listen. I look at it from a different point of view. If my dog knows all the commands and then refuses to listen to me, I look at it as a sign of disrespect to me, the alpha male. That will not work, at least not here and not with me. The dog learns to listen only when he wants to a nd then not at all. I use the electric collar for off leash obedience and I use it as a learning tool. In the hands of an experienced trainer it can work wonders. If you are really serious about training your dog off leash, consider giving it a try. Go to leerburg.com and look at the DVD Ed has on the use of E collars for pet training. Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes all dog are trainable....some handlers are questionable but all dogs are. Just be consistent. Maybe you could get some of your friends to bring their pets over to give your dog some distraction while you train. This would give your dog some socialization skills and help him keep focused on you and maybe you could start up a little interest in an obedience club in your area.

Answer 6

You may need to be stronger in your corrections. The strong and stubborn dogs need stronger corrections. In your corrections use a deep throated voice, something like a grown like his mother would sound like correcting him. And change the pitch of your voice when he is good and has done something right.

What ever your corrections are be stronger when you correct him. You might try using a strong fishing line tied to his choke collar and tied to a stick that you hold in your hand. Leave slack (6 to 8 feet) and when he bolts off after something he is stopped in his tracks.

If he breaks his heel, to after him and bring him right back to the very same place and start over again. Use your voice, it doesn't matter what you say, it is the tone that he will hear. Do not call him back to you, go get him and bring, drag or what ever him back to where he broke the command.

Good luck

Feel free to contact me if you need further help.

Answer 7

No, not all dogs are capable of being good off-leash, even if they're well trained.

Most hounds and terriers should never be trusted off of a leash! Hounds tend to take off whenever they get an interesting scent, and terriers tend to be very independent, so they're bound to go chase something and not want to return to your calls. Since you think that your dog has terrier in her, it might not be wise to try and work with her off-leash. Siberian huskies and lots of other breeds are also poor off-leash dogs, since they just aren't interested in returning to their owner.

Lots of owners have to deal with it, keeping their dog always either leashed or confined. But this is usually the law in cities, anyway. Check out the links in my source list to help you to tell if your dog is going to be suitable off-leash.

Answer 8

All dogs can be taught to work off lead. If your dog understands the basics of heeling, you need to adjust your training. Try to focus your training on attention. You want to show your dog that paying attention to you at all times is the best thing that he can do. If he's always focused on you (even when there are distractions), you will be able to handle him off leash.
Good luck, don't give up!

Answer 9

All dogs can be worked-with off-leash.

He needs more work before you take his lead away if he's not completely attentive to your commands. Try using food rewards to keep his interest and pay close attention to his body language-- that will tell you when he's getting ready to bolt and needs that leash to go back on.

Also, take him for a brisk, fifteen-minute walk before you start working with him. That will take the edge of his high-energy and help him focus, especially with that terrier blood (and if he's a pup).

Answer 10

I have a jack russell puppy who has gone through a lot of training. I could never trust her to be without a leash no matter how much training she has. There are a lot of breeds that can be trained but I don't feel that all can. Terriers are tough. Good luck!